Drake finds himself plunged into the middle of this group of characters who all have something to hide and manages to get the wrong end of the stick so many times it will leave your head spinning but can you still work out who and how the murder was committed? If you know a bit of theatre then it can be described as a wild and hilarious blend of Farndale meets Agatha Christie, and that’s saying something! Drake solves the case but you’ll surely be left wondering how, in this fabulous piece of deadpan comedy next week at the Thameside. Courts Players are also presenting a matinee performance on the Saturday afternoon due to popular demand and also cater for those of you who would prefer a daytime trip out to the theatre. Tickets are £10 with £8 concessions and the box office number is 0845 300 5264.

Have your shot at writing, directing and starring in your very own film in this four day workshop. You will work with a professional filmmaker to learn the performing, camera, sound and directing skills needed for becoming a cinematic icon, by the end of the four days you’ll be a real pro with your very own short film to show on the silver screen.

Stage | 28-30 May

If performing live is more your style, then come along to tread the boards of the Thameside Theatre stage. In three days you will work with professional Actor-Musician Lorna-Marie Moore to learn the various skills you need to make it to the West End. You can delve into the world of theatre and perfect your skills in improvisation, text interpretation, characterisation and devising. With a short performance at the end of the three days come along and release your inner acting superstar!

From Page to Stage – Roald Dahl | 31 May

Come Kiddles come all to explore the scrumdiddlyumptious world of Roald Dahl as we look at some of his most whoopsy wiffling stories including The BFG, James and the Giant Peach, Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Led by the gloriumtious human beans Lorna-Marie Moore and Zack McGuinness this one day workshop will be a bundle of fun for any oompa-loompas who love Whizz-popping, arts & crafts, snozzcumbers and storytelling.
To take part in Act Up! Film, Act Up! Stage or From Page to Stage – Roald Dahl at the Thameside Theatre call the Box Office on 0845 300 5264 or book online at www.thurrock.gov.uk/theatre

In its fourth year on the road Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise’s talented cast brings you “the show that never was” delivered with all the fabulous flair of a high energy 21st century live concert.

You can be blown away by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, the Big Bopper and Eddie Cochran, as these icons of rock and roll join each other on stage for this musical extravaganza.

Backed by the superb Paradise Band, this show has audiences dancing in the aisles, singing along with the music, and yelling for more.

Jerry Lee Lewis is played by keyboard/vocalist Darren Green a wiz on both swinging vocals and keyboards, while in stark contrast is the “Big Bopper” with his deep rasping voice, huge personality and wicked sense of humour played superbly by John Simon-Rawlings.

More mellow sounds will come from Gavin Stanley, a dead-ringer for Eddie Cochran, followed by the unmistakable voice of Buddy Holly, complete with immaculate suit and trademark specs played by the excellent Nick Player.

The darkened glasses, made famous by Roy Orbison are worn by Johnny Curtiss and then Richard Atkins pays homage to The King – Elvis.

Whether you saw these guys the first time round or are just a fan of live music, Rock ‘n’ Roll Paradise has something for everyone in this feel-good two hour celebration of the magic of rock and roll with over 40 songs packed into this roof raising critically acclaimed show.

Tickets, at £18 each, can be reserved by calling the Thameside box office on 0845 3005264.

Jack and the Beanstalk will provide great value-for-money Christmas fun for all the family. Get ready to roar with laughter and cheer our hero Jack on his magical journey to Giant Blunderbore’s Castle in the Sky as our daring hero takes on the evil Poison Ivy!

With reasonably priced tickets, it won’t cost you a bag of magic beans to come to the best value Panto in Essex! Cinderella was a huge success last year and this year will be no exception. Expect new scenery, new costumes, new faces in our all star cast and plenty of audience participation that will keep audiences of all ages entertained and amused. The Thameside Panto is a real story with real characters – not just a string of variety acts. There will be some fantastic singing and dancing and a large dose of comedy, sparkle, magic and spectacle thrown in for good measure!! 

Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk are already selling well, so don’t delay, get your tickets today by calling the Thameside Theatre Box Office on Tel: 0845 300 5264 or online at www.thurrock.gov.uk/theatre! 

As usual, we are offering a great ‘Early Bird’ deal – which as we have said, makes Jack and the Beanstalk the best value Panto in Essex! If you reserve now and pay by 5pm on Tuesday 8 October 2013 you can save up to £3.00 per ticket. We will need a 25% deposit within 4 days of you making the reservation. To avoid you losing your deposit and reservation, we will phone you when the balance is due, as long as we have your telephone number.

To book your tickets you can telephone us on 0845 300 5264 or you can pop along to the theatre and book your tickets with our helpful Box Office staff. The Box Office is open 10.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday and on Saturdays 10am to 1.00pm. Alternatively, you can go on-line at www.thurrock.gov.uk/theatre any time of the day or night, where you can purchase up to 9 tickets.

Book now to avoid disappointment and get the best seats in the house!

THIS WEEK is the Thurrock Gang Show Week when the Stride On Team present a fun filled evening of entertainment, brought to you by the Scouts & Girl Guides of Thurrock 2013 Singing, dancing and comedy sketches performed by Scouts & Guides of all ages, will keep you entertained from the moment the curtains open!

Tuesday 30th April at 2pm We’ll Meet Again- Hits from the Blitz – Britain’s Best Matinee nostalgia show

A great afternoon singalong show that has been touring for 15 years. Join Marilyn Hill-Smith, Andy Eastwood. Adam Daye, Tony Leyton, Mervyn Francis and full musical accompaniment for an afternoon of patriotic Music and Fun. The ticket price includes a cup of tea or coffee at the interval but the bar will be open if you want something stronger.

Friday 3rd May at 7.30pm Rock and Roll Paradise

Now in its 4th year on the road this incredibly talented cast brings you “the show that never was” in the golden era of rock and roll, but delivered with all the fabulous flair of a high energy 21st century live concert. You’ll be blown away by Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, the Big Bopper and Eddie Cochran, as these icons of rock and roll join each other on stage for this musical extravaganza. Backed by the superb Paradise Band, this show has audiences dancing in the aisles, singing along with the music, and yelling for more. Over 40 songs packed into this roof raising critically acclaimed show.

Wed 15th May at 7.30pm Sell a Door Theatre company present George Orwell’s “1984”

“War is peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength”. Winston Smith rewrites history for the Ministry of Truth, but when he’s handed a note that says simply ‘I love you’ by a woman he hardly knows, he decides to risk everything in a search for the real truth. In a world where cheap entertainment keeps the proles ignorant but content, where war without end is always fought and the government is always watching, can Winston possibly hold onto what he feels inside? Or will he renounce everything, accept the Party’s reality and learn to love Big Brother?

Sell a Door Theatre Company continue their 2013 season with Matthew Dunster’s faithful adaptation of George Orwell’s Dystopian Science Fiction novel.

Sat 18th May at 7.30pm Cheryl Baker – My Life – In A Land Of Make-believe

East End Girl Cheryl Baker formerly of Bucks Fizz will be taking the audience on a roller coaster journey which will, bring a smile to people’s faces and also tug on the heart strings when Cheryl reminisces about her upbringing and her life. Cheryl will also be singing some of the favourite hits that she has made throughout her career accompanied by her twin daughters.

Thurrock Courts Players

Take one delightful homely theatre, use a cleverly crafted script then add three experienced actors and you are in for a cracking evening. And the safe they are trying to crack is the central theme of Luke Coldham’s new one act play which opened last night at the wonderful Canal Cafe Theatre in London’s Little Venice. This was an unusual venture for Thurrock Courts Players to perform away from the Borough but after three nights here it moves for a week’s run at the daunting Edinburgh festival in the summer.

Tom (Vic Gray), Dick (Martyn Williams) and Harry (John Scowen) are three bank robbers who find themselves in a bank vault when the door slams behind them and shuts them inside without hope of release for the next twelve hours. Except there isn’t just three of them – Harry has at least 27 other personalities, Dick has an imaginary friend and Tom has Tourettes. The next hour sees the trio go through a whole range of emotions from high comedy to utter despair. We are treated to a unique version of “I could have danced all night” as Harry’s musical side comes to life.

Resembling the Three Stooges and adding a little Morecambe and Wise plus a touch of Python and the recipe for laughter is guaranteed. John Scowen knows how to use his face and boy does he use it well. From a wistful glance to the audience to an almost full gurn, he delights and entertains with ease. Martyn Williams reminded me of a rough John Le Mesurier. I loved this performance from Martyn whose sense of timing was just perfect. His character’s uselessness came over very strongly and you could see the frustration from his two sidekicks. Vic Gray sweated and swore and mumbled and cursed and got on his compatriots’ nerves. He was the Del Boy of the trio and, of course, nothing ever worked out quite right. His Tourettes meant that instead of swearing on occasion he uttered the name of Margaret Thatcher. It wasn’t a cruel sense of timing. The lines had been written long ago. If anything I would have liked to see more of this. It was a pleasure to see such accomplished work from these three seasoned actors and they triumphed in spades.

Luke’s play goes through a roller coaster of emotions from outright laughter to bittersweet tragedy. There are some terrible, unforgivable jokes in the script and the play is all the better for it. The dialogue is pacy and clever and you would think it was from the pen of a far more experienced author. There are small faults but this was a first night and that’s to be expected. This work goes to Edinburgh in the summer and with some small tweaks, i.e. a much better safe door, it should do really well. Your Thurrock will be seeing this again in Edinburgh and if the performances are anything like the London gigs then it should be very popular.
“Safe” is at the Canal Theatre Café Little Venice tonight and tomorrow.

The raw and uncompromising style of their performance resulted in the album Stupidity that immediately went to the number one position in the U.K. charts.

Dr. Feelgood have also enjoyed global success with a string of hit singles including Roxette, Back in the Night, Milk and Alcohol, Down at the Doctors, She Does it Right, Going Back Home and See You Later Alligator – which gave the group their first gold record.

The current line up features the rhythm section Kevin Morris on drums and Phil Mitchell on bass, both 29 years in the band and Steve Walwyn on guitar who has been with the band for 23 years.

Vocalist Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) is the most recent addition – joining in 1999 after the tragic death of Lee Brilleaux.

The band continues to tour extensively throughout the World.

Scouts and Guides from across Thurrock have been rehearsing every Sunday since the beginning of October to put together their traditional annual “Stride On” Gang Show, which they first staged in 1968.

The Show’s Director Jan Thurnell, who is officially the longest serving Gang Show Director in the world said, “ Gang Show is a great opportunity for the youngsters to perform in front of a live audience, which they do with a high degree of professionalism doing both themselves and their leaders proud!”

This year’s over 60 strong cast aged 9 years and upwards are supported by a similar number behind the scenes, to deliver a show containing a great mixture of glamorous traditional and modern musical numbers, entwined with some funny comedy sketches giving a nice balance of humour whilst retaining the traditional core of Ralph Reader elements. Ralph Reader was the British actor, theatrical producer and songwriter, who was best known for staging the original Gang Show.

Stride On 2013 will run at the Thameside Theatre, Grays from 24 to 27 April 2013. Tickets are priced at Adults, £10.00, Children/OAP’s £6.00 from Wednesday Eve to Saturday Matinee and Adults £11.00 and Children/OAPs £7.00 for the Saturday Eve performance.

Tickets are available from Tracey Clay on Tel: 01375 378863 and for more details about the Gang Show, please visit www.thurrockgangshow.org

Billy Fury had more Decca hits than any other recording artist and he equalled The Beatles 24 chart hits with 332 weeks in the UK Charts…. Now in this sensational show, Michael King, who portrayed the role of Billy in the ‘Buddy Holly 50th Anniversary Tour’ relives The Billy Fury Years with a performance that has been hailed by critics as ‘the best Fury since Fury’

This exciting 2 hour show which is packed with all Billy Fury’s hits and features stunning video and audio effects will have you dancing in the aisles and reliving arguably one of the most exciting times in modern popular music.

The show begins at 7.30pm on Saturday April 6th.

Venue:
Thameside Theatre
Orsett Road
Grays
Essex
RM17 5DX
Contact:
Box Office, Thameside Theatre

Tel: 0845 300 5264
Email: thameside.theatre@thurrock.gov.uk

In this business you occasionally have to change the approach to try and increase activity and participation and, above all, audience figures

Thurrock Courts Players have certainly done that. Later next month they are introducing a Saturday matinee performance and last night they offered a “one night only” performance of two one act plays – hence the BOGOF. One home written and one not and the audience loved it! Audiences went home very happy and the theatre bar did business and probably Courts players made a profit. Everyone’s happy so let’s hope they can do it again

Tea and Crumpet by Trevor Povey

Courts member and actor Trevor Povey wrote and directed this delightful piece which tells the tale of a transport café somewhere oop north where the customers get stuck in for the night after snow sets in. I am not going to heap praise on any individual as I feel everyone involved gave a very strong performance and there were some very well observed characterisations. Credit must go to Trevor who not only wrote but directed this play. Its success lies in its structure which allows each character to develop and progress and a very clever scene in which five phone conversations are running at the same time which leads to some very comical moments. In fact, that is my only criticism as on rare occasion lines were unheard as the audience were still laughing at the previous joke.

I am aware that Trevor is also writing a second act for this play and if it’s the same pedigree as this then audiences will love it

Babels in Arms by David Ives

A debut direction for Gary Patmore and he has done a fine job with this silly and highly amusing two header which featured excellent performances from Trevor Povey and Michael McFarlane. The humour was delivered with some excellent comic timing and clever sight gags. Think Python meets Milligan and you can guess the level we were at, but this play had some real laugh out loud moments. Excellent support from Pauline Crowhurst, Monica Zieba and Jenny Lee made this play come alive. Not for the vicar but audiences loved it, as did I.

Lets hope this highly successful experiment will be repeated . Courts Players next production is on the 23rd to 25th May and is called “Inspector Drake’s Last Case”.

The two plays are both going to be entered for drama festivals outside the borough.

The two plays are Babels in Arms by David Ives and Tea and Crumpet by Trevor Povey.

The perfomances will be on Wednesday March 27th at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £8 for adults, £6 for children and oaps.

For further information contact Thameside Theatre on 0845 300 5264.

Now they can sing and dance to their heart’s content this Easter with Creative Blast’s special age specific workshops for kids!

The Thameside Theatre in Grays is hosting the perfect workshops for boys and girls of all ages and is pleased to announce that there will be a Disney-themed workshop for the younger ones and a Glee workshop for the older over the break.

The hotly anticipated Disney extravaganza workshop is just right for four- to seven-year-olds who love their Disney and aren’t afraid to show it. With singing and dancing from all of their favourite Disney movies, they are bound to love this fantastic two-day workshop.

With pieces from the Lion King, Toy Story, High School Musical and much, much more, there’s something for everyone.

For the more sophisticated connoisseurs of pop music that are our eight- to 18-year-olds, there is a cutting-edge two-day I Love Glee workshop.

Just like in the TV show, the youngsters will have a chance to experience what it’s like being part of a Glee club, performing their favourite dance moves and songs and devising a few of their own too.

This workshop is perfect for those kids who just don’t stop believing.

So whatever their age, kids can have a Creative Blast this half term at the Thameside.

No experience is necessary but a love of Disney or Glee is a must. Be sure to book early as it is anticipated spaces will fill up quickly for these two incredible workshops.

To take part in our Disney Extravaganza on 3 and 4 April or the I Love Glee on 10 and 11 April, call the Thameside Box Office on 0845 3005264.

The workshops run from 10am to 4pm each day, with Disney Extravaganza costing £40.00 and I Love Glee costing just £36.00. The price is for both days inclusively.

OVER 30 people were entertained tonight by the wonderful Pauline Black, lead singer from the famous Ska band ‘The Selecter’.

Pauline was in Grays Library for the 2013 Essex Book Festival and enthralled her audience with a live reading of passages from her best selling book ‘Black by Design’.

Pauline was adopted by a white family living in Romford in the 1950′s. At this time she was the only black face in the area. With three older white older brothers, it wasn’t until she went to school that she realised she was ‘different’.

Identifying with her black heritage and fusing that with her white working class culture steered her into some interesting dilemmas. Thus she was pivitol in the musical 2-tone movement being formed in the late 70′s with its unique musical identity – with The Selecter being fronted by a strong black woman.

Thurrock people were entertained with her stories of redneck people intimidating the band in Texas at the Southfork Ranch of Dallas fame, as well as funny anecdotes about her working class brothers meeting Vanessa Redgrave and nearly killing off her acting career.

An interesting evenings entertainment with much laughter and some reflection from the audience about the experiences of mixed race people living today in Thurrock.

IF YOU look at the number of dates on Trevor Marriott’s UK tour, then you will realise how many people are still fascinated by these murders that took place in Victorian England.

Tonight at the Thameside Theatre, mystery, intrigue and murder were all on view with the arrival of a talk by Trevor Marriott ex murder squad detective on one of the most enigmatic subjects contiuing for 125 years; this being ‘The Whitechapel Murders’ carried out by the infamous ‘Jack the Ripper’.

Trevor spoke to a full theatre about the various victims, the foul deeds and the suspects, which was interlaced with humour and also a good measure of gore for the more faint hearted in the audience.

So who is Jack the Ripper you cry? We will never conclusively know who committed the deeds in Victorian London, but if, like me it was fun trying to listen to the evidence and guessing!